nervy

adjective

ˈnər-vē How to pronounce nervy (audio)
Definition of nervynext
1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty I'm a little nervy about my first job interview

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nervy Outside Boston last weekend, during Scotland’s first World Cup match in twenty-eight years, a nervy 1–0 victory against Haiti, McTominay heard plenty of familiar cheers. — Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 Yet following closely behind is Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth), Wardex’s nervy CEO, who’s intent on burying the facts out of fear that humanity can’t handle this mind-expanding knowledge. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 The sole film helmed by Oscar-winning actor Charles Laughton, The Night of the Hunter is one of the great one-off directorial efforts, a nervy chase movie drenched in Southern Gothic atmosphere. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 His serious, sometimes ponderous style is most vividly on display in Son of Saul, which uses the nervy technique of keeping the camera very close on one prisoner as hell is unleashed in the periphery. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
  1. wise
  2. adventurous
  3. nervous
  4. cheeky
  5. daring
  6. worried
  7. bold
  8. fearless
Adjective
  • Salaun isn’t going to be judged fully by his production over the last week-plus numbers-wise, including his 18 points against Sacramento in the finale.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • Everyone’s waiting on the old GOAT Last night was pretty light game-wise, thanks to the MLB All-Star break, the World Cup progression and … a faulty WNBA plane.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Their full-backs will look to get forward, while Sander Berge will anchor the midfield alongside the adventurous Patrick Berg and the creative presence of Odegaard.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • Pína and Hawk mysteriously slip out while Joe and Angela are in the kitchen, suggesting that the adventurous lovemakers may have just been figments of their imagination.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • Some nervous observers are going so far as to swear off salads and other raw fruits and vegetables until the outbreak has run its course.
    — Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
  • But Griffin’s recent donation to Moody is not the only indication Republicans could be more nervous about Florida than the Senate races in other bright-red states.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • The group was behind several similarly cheeky anti-Trump installations around the capital, including statues alluding to Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
  • The spots around fall and midseason premiere dates were elaborate and featured a mix of stars from different shows interacting in some cheeky way.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 July 2026
Definition of cheeky
Adjective
  • Wadden admits that the color has a richness and warmth that might seem like a daring choice to homeowners who are accustomed to more understated palettes.
    — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • But to play two knockout matches without conceding even a sniff of a chance is hugely impressive — especially considering Deschamps hasn’t compromised on his unusually daring approach of using four proper attackers.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of daring
Adjective
  • Christian is worried about Aaron’s gray jersey sportswear look because the fit will need to be perfect, and then, uh-oh, Aaron sews the bodysuit incorrectly and needs to start again.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • The Polymarket spokesperson added that the company is worried about potential duplicative or conflicting compliance requirements that could harm innovation.
    — Ananya Chetia,Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • SpaceX thinks Starship's combination of power and reusability will revolutionize spaceflight, allowing humanity to settle the moon and Mars, among other bold exploration feats.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 July 2026
  • Last year, the Food and Drug Administration removed a bold safety warning about possible heart risks with testosterone pills, gels, injections and patches, based on recent data that showed no increase in those problems.
    — Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of bold
Adjective
  • Ten years after audiences first met Disney’s fearless wayfinder, Moana has returned to theaters in a new live-action adaptation.
    — Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Family, students and curators are digitizing her vast archive and spotlighting early wearable art, even as multiple generations credit Saar’s fearless vision with expanding possibilities for Black womanhood and American art.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of fearless

Browse Nearby Words

nervous wrecks
nervy
nescience
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Cite this Entry

“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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